Articles by Ann Schneible
Refugees are God's children, Pope says in wake of Paris attacks
Nov 17, 2015 / 04:01 amAmid questions over whether European nations will reevaluate their migrant policies in the wake of Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, Pope Francis offered a reminder over the weekend that refugees are more than statistics: they are children of God, each with his or her own inherent dignity.
UPDATED: Pope calls Paris terrorist attacks part of 'piecemeal WWIII'
Nov 14, 2015 / 04:52 amThe acts of terrorism which took place in Paris Friday night are the latest part in what Pope Francis has called a “piecemeal World War III,” describing the attacks as “inhuman.”
Pope Francis to pro-life activists: You are the world's Good Samaritans
Nov 9, 2015 / 10:40 amPope Francis praised pro-life activists as “Good Samaritans” to the most vulnerable, citing their commitment to defending life at all stages and their role in affirming the dignity of women.
Pope: 'Deplorable' leak of private docs doesn’t damper Vatican reform
Nov 8, 2015 / 05:15 amOn Sunday Pope Francis spoke out for the first time on what has been called the most recent “Vatileaks” scandal with the theft of confidential information by the Holy See, but offered his assurances that the reform process would move forward.
Forgiveness in family has power to rebuild society, Pope says
Nov 4, 2015 / 09:20 amDelivering his Wednesday general audience address a little more than a week after the close of the Synod on the Family, Pope Francis spoke on the role of forgiveness in helping families become a force for the betterment of society.
Scandal at the Vatican - two arrests made after leak of confidential docs
Nov 2, 2015 / 09:01 amTwo former members of a Vatican commission have been arrested on charges of stealing and leaking information in connection with two soon-to-be released books alleged to contain confidential information surrounding Pope Francis' pontificate.
Prayer is the treasure of all religions, says Pope
Oct 28, 2015 / 10:04 amPope Francis marked Wednesday's anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religion by saying the world looks to religious believers for their ability to pray.
Walk alongside your people, Pope Francis tells bishops at synod's close
Oct 25, 2015 / 04:13 amPope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter’s, warning against a “spirituality of illusion,” and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God’s mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.
Gay Catholic to Synod: Please protect teaching on homosexuality
Oct 23, 2015 / 13:27 pmWith the pastoral care of homosexual persons on the agenda of the Synod on the Family, one man with same-sex attraction has appealed to the synod fathers to protect the Church's teaching on this issue.
Marriage doesn't take away your freedom – quite the opposite, Pope says
Oct 21, 2015 / 07:34 amPope Francis on Wednesday said that contrary to modern notions, fidelity in marriage does not rob us of personal freedom but instead is a fundamental attribute of all human relationships based on love.
Vatican calls rumors over Pope Francis' health false and irresponsible
Oct 21, 2015 / 04:27 amThe director of the Holy See press office has denied reports in the Italian press that Pope Francis is suffering from a brain tumor, and denounced its dissemination as “gravely irresponsible.”
Cardinal Pell: Catholic means universal, not continental
Oct 19, 2015 / 15:30 pmIn a wide-ranging interview, Australia's leading prelate affirmed his alliance with Pope Francis, and also stressed that, in a universal church, doctrine does not change from one country to the next.
Pope Francis: 50th anniversary of Synod renews the call to discipleship
Oct 17, 2015 / 09:24 amPope Francis presided over celebrations marking 50 years since the establishment of the Synod of Bishops, in which he reflected on the role of the synod in fulfilling our call as disciples to be servants.
Pope Francis asks forgiveness for scandals in the Church
Oct 14, 2015 / 07:01 amPope Francis opened this Wednesday's general audience by apologizing for unspecified scandals that have recently arisen in the Vatican.
Vatican aims for child protection norms to be custom-fitted per culture
Oct 12, 2015 / 11:05 amWhen it comes to protection against abuse, guidelines need to be implemented according to the customs of each country if they are to be effective, said one official of the Vatican's commission for the protection of minors, which met in Rome over the weekend.
Updated: Cardinal Dolan reportedly among concerned bishops who wrote Pope about synod
Oct 12, 2015 / 04:49 amNew York's archbishop is listed among the signatories in a letter last week to Pope Francis over whether this year's synod on the Family lacked the “openness and genuine collegiality” needed to accomplish its purpose, it was revealed Monday.
For UK archbishop, the plight of migrant families strikes a chord
Oct 6, 2015 / 13:38 pmAs Europe continues to face mass migration from crisis zones, the synod discussions cannot ignore the weighty impact this crisis has on families, said U.K. Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
A warning from Pope Francis: Don't politicize the synod
Oct 5, 2015 / 07:47 amPope Francis opened the Synod on the Family with a reminder that it's not a forum whereby leaders come to an agreement, but a journey of openness to the Holy Spirit and “apostolic courage” against worldly temptations that can lead people away from the truth.
Pope tells Synod Fathers to learn from the Holy Family
Oct 3, 2015 / 11:39 amPope Francis on Saturday presided over a candlelight vigil for the Synod on the Family, calling on the Synod Fathers to listen to families, including the Holy Family, over the course of their deliberations.
Gay Catholics tell synod to promote chastity – for everyone
Oct 3, 2015 / 03:04 amSame-sex attracted Catholics who have turned away from a homosexual lifestyle are urging participants at the upcoming Synod on the Family to defend the Church's teaching on chastity for everyone – including for divorced and remarried.